Chennai Unites Against Child Abuse flagged off by
Deputy Commissioner H.Jayalakshmi
Deputy Commissioner H.Jayalakshmi
Every minute there is a child being abused, raped or killed not very far from you. Child Abuse is not gender specific.
Social
activist and politician Apsara Reddy brought together hundreds of
citizens on a Sunday Morning for a “Rally against child abuse”. Chief
Guest for the morning Deputy Commissioner
(Crimes Against Women and Children) H Jayalakshmi said, “Children are
the future and my department under the guidance of commissioner AK
Viswanathan sir ensures that we sensitise our team to emotionally and
also physically handle crimes against children.
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We have a zero tolerance
towards crimes against children. All angles of abuse and neglect are
looked into. We employ the best practices from around the world in
ensuring children related crimes are handled with due care and
diligence.
Our All Women Police Stations have Child counsellor and all
police officers working there are trained consistently on handling
sensitive crimes,” she said as hundreds of students and women cheered
on.
Apsara
Reddy who has earlier worked on child abuse cases as a social activist
said, “our society needs to look at child abuse as a human rights issue.
It can happen in any home and there is no real profile of a
perpetrator. Ever so often there are cases of the own father or uncle
molesting a child. We must teach children to communicate openly, ask for
help and understand that they haven’t done anything wrong. Construct of
shame is always centred around the victim and it’s family. Instead
shame should shift on the perpetrator. As a society we must stand by the
family of the victim and not just offer lip sympathy.”
She
adds, “Child Abuse has no gender preference. Boys too face the brunt of
barbaric mindset’s and often suffer lifelong consequences and scars.
Doctors who examine children have a special role that’s higher than that
of parents. They must examine symptoms of abuse or rape. They must also
alert authorities. Those in the medical line dealing with children
everyday must have direct access to child protection officers.”
Members
of FICCI FLO, Lions Club and various transgender organisations took
part in the rally. Slogans were raised to safeguard children and punish
to the perpetrators. Various student leaders from across party lines
joined hands with Apsara Reddy to show solidarity towards rape victims.
Expats
from various corporate companies participated. Bruce Schwak, said, “The
child protection task can’t be one that police alone undertakes.
Society must also be active agents in protecting children. We must
report anything suspicious and ensure we draw the attention of
authorities.”
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